U.S. stocks gain on data, Fed taper talk weighs; Dow rises 0.03%

By: Investing.com

Posted: 12/9/2013 4:23:00 PM

Referenced Stocks:

Investing.com - U.S. stocks rose on Monday amid optimism for a
more robust U.S. economy down the road though uncertainty as to how
stocks will react to an eventual Federal Reserve decision to wind
down stimulus tools capped gains.

At the close of U.S. trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose
0.03%, the S&P 500 index rose 0.18%, while the Nasdaq Composite
index rose 0.15%.

Data released last week continued to boost stock prices Monday by
fanning hopes for a more robust U.S. economy down the road.

The Department of Labor Friday that the U.S. economy added 203,000
jobs in November, beating expectations for a 180,000 increase and
up from a downwardly revised 200,000 rise the previous month.

In the private sector, 196,000 jobs were added last month compared
to expectations for a 180,000 rise, after an increase of 214,000 in
October.

The report also said the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.0% in
November, from 7.3% in October, beating expectations for a downtick
to 7.2%.

Also on Friday, the preliminary Thomson Reuters/University of
Michigan consumer sentiment index increased to 82.5 in December
from 75.1 the previous month, far surpassing expectations for a
76.0 reading.

The numbers boosted stock prices by stoking sentiments that a
healthier U.S. economy will lead to healthier corporate
fundamentals.

Uncertainty over the fate of monetary stimulus measures capped
gains.

Stimulus tools such as the Fed's USD85 billion in monthly bond
purchases drive down interest rates to spur recovery, boosting
stock prices in the process, though talk of their dismantling can
dampen stock prices by fanning uncertainty as to how equities will
perform without a monetary crutch.

Earlier Monday, Fed St. Louis President James Bullard said the
chances of a Fed decision to taper asset purchases are growing now
that the labor market has shown improvement.

"A small taper might recognize labor market improvement while still
providing the Committee the opportunity to carefully monitor
inflation during the first half of 2014," Bullard said in prepared
remarks of a speech he delivered earlier.